Dr. Jaimala Shukla, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Emirates Diagnostic Clinic responds:

Dear Doctor,

I am planning to do family planning operation in December. Can you clarify if it should be done within 10 days of period or we can do it any time? - Jojo, Doha

It is best done immediately after the periods to mainly ensure that the woman is not pregnant.

Dear Doctor,

I had been taking Primolut N for the last 3 days to delay my periods. In the meanwhile I had un-protected sex about a day back. I do not want to be pregnant now. Please confirm whether Primolut N will prevent the chances of pregnancy or I shall take Duliton L also? What are the adverse effects if both the medicines are taken? - Anuradha, Kolkata

Primolut-N will not prevent the pregnancy neither will Duliton L taken so many days after the unprotected intercourse

Dear Doctor, 

I have a trip planned for this weekend, also due to start my period? Is there any way to postpone period? - Stacie, Springville

If you are sure you are not pregnant you could take Primolut-N three tablets 7- 10 days prior to your expected menstrual cycle commencement  

Dear Doctor, 

I had couple abortions after my marriage because off some problems, first was when I was 2 months pregnant, second when I was 3 months pregnant. Now we have compromised with each other and we are trying for a child for the past 6 months but not successful. I’m 27 years old and am also overweight. Doctors have done a complete round of tests, all of which were normal. My periods are normal but still I’m increasing weight. I’m taking clomid and also duphaston dydrogesterone. Please suggest what I should do next. - Maryam, Islamabad

Please try to control your weight and do a thyroid profile and a fallopian tubes patency test. Follicular studies after Clomid intake will tell if your are ovulating or not.  

Dear Doctor,

I am on Modicon right now, but for the past few months my periods start before a month. I start my period lets say on the 1st of the month and by the third week of the month I have my periods again. I talked to my doctor and he said I should take Progyluton. Should I stop taking Modicon, which is my birth control pill or can I take both at the same time? - MBN, Corpus Christi

Do not take both the pills. A shot cycle could be associated with the brand, so you could take another brand of oral contraceptives and try to see if periods will be on time. Any period between 24 to 32 days is considered normal.

Dear Doctor,

I am a 23 year old Australian woman and over the last two weeks I have been experiencing heavy pain in my abdominal region. Sometimes I have blood spotting and twice it has woken me during the night and I feel constipated and the pain is so bad I almost faint, but then I pass normally, or with diarrhea. There has also been some blood during sexual intercourse. 

I am on the contraceptive pill and have had numerous urinary tract infections over the past two years and once ended up in hospital because it spread to my kidneys. Can you please advise me what I should do, I am in a foreign country and not sure whether to see a normal GP or go straight to a gynecologist? - Jess, Dubai

You need to see a gynecologist urgently. An ultrasound and a full gynecology checkup with a Pap test should be done immediately.   

Dear Doctor,

I am 23, my height is 5 feet and I weigh about 105lbs. My period normally lasts about 7 days but lately it has only been lasting about 4-5 days. My last period only lasted 2 days and was very light. Should I be worried about early Menopause or is this sometimes normal? - Deanna, Sayreville

If you bleed sufficiently during the two days you should not worry. An age of 23yrs is very young from menopause.

Dear Doctor, 

I had an unsafe sex with my partner. I have not got my periods. It has been delayed by 8 days. I had my urine test done. It was negative. I inquired the medical stores to suggest me medicine to get my period. He suggested to take Pirmolut N once in the morning and one in the evening. Is it right to have pirmolunt N to get my period. Would you suggest me some other medicine. - Sunita kadam, Bangalore

The urine pregnancy test may not give 100% correct results you must do a Beta HCG level in blood. If negative you can wait for your normal periods.

Dear Doctor,

I never have menses without tablets. Every month I have to take tablets for menses. Now I'm married and wish to have a child. So please suggest an effective solution. - Mariya aamir, Kuwait

You have not mentioned your age. You must do a full gynecological checkup and hormone profile to determine the underlying problem.

Dear Doctor,

I am 24 years old. I am sexually active and had an abortion in Dec 2005. My periods were regular but since April, I have not got my periods. So I have missed them for 2 months now. I am also on a weight loss programme and I do rigorous workouts. I am 88 Kgs and 165 cms. Recently during intercourse I noticed a Brown Discharge. I also have developed some boils and pimple kind infection in the pubic region. What could it be doctor and what should be my next step? I am really worried! - Nisha, Bangalore

Any kind of rigorous exercise and dieting can upset the menstrual cycle. Still it is a good idea to have a check up. The boils and the pimples in the pubic area could be folliculitis due to obesity, friction and sweating.

Dear Doctor,

I am a woman of 21 years. I have been married for 2 years now. I have not given birth until now and I am not on any contraceptive. My menstruation cycle has also been very irregular. Recently my doctor placed me on Primolut N 10mg three times daily for 21 days up to three circles. My question is if the dose I consume all right, because I realise I have to take 126 tablets every month. - Janet, Abuja, Nigeria

To regularise the periods take Duphaston tablets from the sixteenth day of your menstrual cycle for ten days each cycle. This treatment will not affect the fertility.

Dear Doctor,

I am a 24-year-old virgin. I seem to pass a large amount of white discharge that sometimes gives off a strong odor. What can the problem be, where did it come from and how can I stop it? - Amani Salman, Chicago

It seems that you have a vaginal infection. Do have a check up done. Your doctor would do a lab test on the discharge for infections and give the treatment accordingly.  

Dear Doctor,

I am a 25-year-old woman, married for the last 10 months. I would like to have a baby very soon. Three months ago, I had a miscarriage. My doctor has suggested me to take capsules evion 400mg. Is evoin a pregnancy conceiving capsule? - Zainab, Mumbai

You need to try for 5-6 months more. Also, do talk to your doctor as to what was the reason for the miscarriage, so it can be prevented in the next pregnancy. Evion is Vitamin E and not a fertility drug!    

Dear Doctor, 

I am suppose to deliver on the 2nd of November but I am planning to have the delivery on the 27th of sep is it advisable to do it. Please and my question cause I am in a problem. - Tahura, Hyderbad

It is not advisable to have your baby on the above date. Pre-maturity is a problem for the baby.

Dear Doctor, 

I am diagnosed with PCOS. I was on Diane 35, since December 04 for 3 months. Then in Nov 2005, I was prescribed Cerophene (for 3 cycles starting 5th day of each cycle) whilst I was taking 150 mg of it; the size of my follicle was 1.7cms on the 12th day. I had taken the injection with no avail. Now I am taking a combination of 1000 mg of Glocophage with 100 mg of cerophene, since last month. I got my periods again this month after 35 days (which is my normal cycle) Please advise. - Vanessa, Karachi Pakistan

If you are a severe case of PCO's with overweight problems, it is better to come to your normal weight (BMI) and then start with the ceprohene. Also the patency of your fallopian tubes and your husband’s semen should be analyzed.  

Dear Doctor, 

I’m 24 years girl, soon getting married. 5 years back I was in depression, I took a long treatment for about a 1year and got well. Two years after that, I was raped by someone. I was pregnant and my family aborted that pregnancy. My periods has been irregular ever since and also I'm suffering from hyperthyroidism, for which I take medicines. Since that incidence, I'm also not sure how settled my relationship with my future husband would be, though he knows all about me and has been very supportive. Please help. - Palak, Delhi

Your periods could be irregular due to the stressful situations that you are of facing or due to hyperthyroidism. Periods could the regularised with the medications. You need to see a psychologist so as to help put the past behind you and start afresh. You are lucky to have a supportive partner who will help you to achieve this.